The  Converted  s 
Conf  Pam  12mo  #690 

DTTQbDfim. 


No.  115. 

THE  CONVERTED  SOLDIER  BECOME  A 
ZEALOUS  MISSIONARY. 


William  Magratli  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  the  son 
of  Roman  Catholic  parents.  He  was  destined  by  his 
parents  to  enter  holy  orders  in  that  Church,  therefore  he 
received  a  classical  education.  Their  pious  intentions, 
however,  were  frustrated  by  his  entering  the  army  as  a 
private  soldier.  He  enlisted  in  the  year  182(3  for  his 
Majesty's  Buffs,  which  was  on  foreign  service  in  the 
East  Indies.  In  the  year  1827  he  joined  his  regiment, 
and  was  appointed  an  assistant  schoolmaster  in  the  regi-' 
mental  school.  On  being  placed  in  this  situation  he 
resolved  on  studying  the  Scriptures,  and  assiduously 
read  the  New  Testament  in  Greek  and  English,  care- 
fully comparing  the  one  with  the  other,  which  soon 
became  the  effectual  means,  under  the  blessing  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  of  his  conversion  from  sin  to  holiness,  from 
error  to  truth.  His  mind  being  enlightened  by  the  rays 
of  divine  truth,  he  hesitated  not  to  avow  the  change 
which  had  taken  place  in  his  sentiments;  he  therefore 
joined  the  Christian  society  formed  in  that  corps,  and 
in  a  short  time  became  an  exemplary  Christian,  zealous 
for  the  promotion  of  God's  glory,  and  the  welfare  of 
immortal  souls. 

It  appears  that,  being  in  the  army,  he  considered  that 
his  usefulness  was  greatly  limited;  he,  therefore,  re- 
solved on  leaving  it,  which   he   did    in   1831,  by  paying 


2  THE    CONVERTED    SOLDIER    BECOME 

the  stipulated  sum  of  £20.  As  soon  as  he  was  liber- 
ated from  the  trammels  of  a  military  life  some  pious 
gentlemen  residing  in  Calcutta  effected  his  entering 
the  mission  of  the  Churcli  of  Ensrland,  and  the  duty 
connected  witii  that  situation  he  |)erformed  laboriously, 
attentively,  and  assiduously,  until  having  met  with  the 
bioj^raphy  of  Xavier,  he  cauglit  the  flame  that  enliindled 
the  breast  of  liis  ancient  predecessor,  and,  after  mature 
deliberation,  he  resolved  on  following  his  example,  by 
devoting  himself  to  itinerant  preaching  among  the 
heathen.  He  immediately  sold,  by  public  auction,  all 
his  "earthly  goods,"  and  cheerfully  remitted  the  amount 
to  the  Bible  Society — a  society  which  he  admired,  while 
he  frequently  prayed  for  its  success.  He  often  said 
that  it  was  the  brightest  diadem  in  Britain's  crown. 

Now  follow  him  traversing  the  burning  sands  of  Hin- 
dostan,  without  money,  without  home,  without  friends, 
without  human  ))rolection,  going  through  tlie  interior  of 
the  country  (simply  relying:  on  Providence),  proclaim- 
ing the  everlasting  gosptl  to  perishing, deluded  heathens, 
and  behold,  the  same  Lord  that  caused  ravens  to  feed 
Elijah  opened  the  heaits  of  his  hearers  to  embrace 
him,  and  they  gladly  suj)plied  his  wants. 

In  the  year  1832,  in  travelling  through  the  country, 
he  was  providentially  brought  to  Ghazeepoor,  where  a 
regiment  was  stationed.  He  remained  a  fortnight 
with  me,  and  during  his  stay  he  preached  every  night 
to  the  society;  his  discourses  were  energetic,  sublime, 
and  evangelical;  they  comforted  the  saint  and  alarmed 
the  tinner. 

It  was  at  this  period  that  I  formed  the  most  intimate 
friendship  with  him,  and  was  hourly  an  eye-witness  of 
the  holiness  of  his  life,  for  he  walked  worthy  of  the 
vocation   wherewitli  he   was  called,  adoring   the  gospel 


A    ZEALOUS    MISSIONARY.  d 

and  religion  of  Christ,  for  the  power  of  divine  grace 
was  evidently  manifested  and  illustriously  displayed  in 
the  whole  of  his  walk  and  conversation. 

JHis  meekness  of  spirit  and  humility  of  life  were 
exceedinfrly  great.  He  endeavored  to  copy  the  exam- 
ple of  the  blessed  Jesus,  who  said  :  "  Learn  of  me,  for 
I  am  meek  and  lowly  in  heart."  At  all  times  he  pos- 
sessed a  deep  sense  of  his  guilt,  and  always  called 
liimself  an  unprofitable  servant,  and  the  chief  of  sin- 
ners. 

His  faith,  hope,  and  love,  were  of  a  purely  Scriptural 
kind.  Sweet  devotion  was  his  eh-niont,  ardent  were  the 
breathings  of  his  soul  after  a  union  with  Christ;  his 
constant  desire  was  to  serve  God  better,  and  love  Jesus 
more.  Reading  and  studying  the  Scriptures  were  his 
delight;  he  appreciated  them  above  fine  gold,  yea,  he 
esteemed  them  more  than  his  necessary  food.  It  was 
his  continual  aim  to  pay  a  uniform  and  unfeigned 
obedience  to  all  the  commands  of  God,  his  Heavenly 
Father;  but,  above  all,  his  zeal  for  imniortal  souls  was 
unspeakably  great  ;  it  was  the  whole  bent  of  his  mind 
to  reclaim  an  apostate  world  ;  day  and  night  he  rested 
not  to  proclaim  the  glad  tidings  of  redeeming  love  to 
perishing  sinners. 

He  was  one  of  the  brigiitest  ornaments  of  religion 
that  I  ever  saw,  and  the  many  virtues  which  adorned 
his  character,  and  which,  to  every  one's  eyes  but  his 
own,  shone  like  so  many  sparkling  gems,  were  of  a 
purely  Christian  kind;  his  religion  was  that  of  the  New 
Testament,  "Being  justified  by  faith,  he  found  peace 
with  God  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

But  his  character  the  reader  will  deduce  with  more 
precision  and  satisfaction  to  himself  from  the  following 
extracts  from  his  letters,  wliich   I  submit  in  their  origi- 


4  THE    CONVERTED    SOLDIER    BECOME 

nal  form,   than   from  any  summary  given   of  it  by  the 
writer  of  this  narrative  : 

Patna,  Aprils,  1832. 
My   Dearest  Brother  : 

How  can  I  fully  show  my  gratitude  for  your  very 
great  kindness  to  me,  since  I  have  none  of  this  world's 
goods;  I  can  only  pray  for  you,  and  humble  myself 
before  you  ;  indeed  this  is  the  garment  (humility)  which 
best  becometh  such  a  person  as  I  seem  to  be.  I  am  an 
incumbrance  wherever  I  go,  having  nothing  to  give  in 
return,  either  temporally  or  spiritually.  My  ignorance, 
pride,  and  sloth  unfit  me  for  the  work,  the  name  of 
which  I  bear.  Oh!  it  is  but  the  name!  I  am  now 
nearly  three  days  in  this  great  city,  and  I  have  scarcely 
attempted  to  do  anything,  and  if  I  do  attempt,  I  have 
neither  love,  knowledge  of  the  language,  nor  faith  to 
make  the  attempt  prosperous;  however,  though  thus 
tried,  I  do  not  despair  in  Christ,  and  oh  that  I  could 
despair  more  and  more  of  my  own  powers  and  person. 
My  dear  William,  while  my  heart  glows  with  love  to 
you,  I  beseech  you  to  be  instant  in  prayer  for  the  work 
of  Christ  in  my  harjds.  Crave  the  prayers  of  all  for 
ine  —  those  of  Mrs.  B.  1  value.  I  cannot  express  the 
feelings  of  a  grateful  heart  toward  such  a  dear  woman; 
may  she  shine  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day, 
looking  unto  Jesus  who  has  treasure  laid  up  in  heaven 
for  "the  meek."  Believe  me,  my  dearest  brother,  that 
I  have  the  welfare  of  yourself  and  your  family  much 
at  my  heart;  yes,  T  can  say  this  in  truth,  therefore  hear 
what  your  poor  friend  may  urge,  by  means  of  quicken- 
ing you  in  your  way  to  Zion.  The  way,  you  know,  is 
narrow,  the  gate  is  strait,  many  shall   seek  to  enter  in 


A    ZEALOUS    MISSIONARY.  5 

and  shall  not  be  able.*  Oh,  then,  how  doth  it  not  be- 
hoove us  to  hear  the  voice  of  God,  while  he  directs  us  in 
this  way  :  "  Hear  and  your  soul  shall  live."  Hear  then 
the  terms,  as  it  were,  by  which  he  will  give  us  strength 
to  enter  in  at  the  strait  gale:  Deny  yourself,  take  up 
your  cross,  follow  me.  These  are  words  easy  to  be 
understood,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  Jast  day.  Figlit  the 
good  fight,  lay  hold  on  eternal  life,  flee  youthful  lusts, 
seek  your  soul's  salvation  alone  by  faith  in  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  fear  not  what  man  can  do  unto  you,  then 
your  light  will  so  shine  as  to  glorify  your  Father  which 
is  in  Heaven.  Be  zealous,  instruct  tfie  ignorant,  help 
the  weak,  reprove  the  sinful,  and  endeavor  to  point  out 
to  all,  by  a  holy  life,  tlie  way  to  everlasting  happiness. 
Be  not  ashamed  of  Christ,,  and  he  will  not  be  ashamed 
of  you.  Oh  !  tnke  heed  that  you  deny  him  not,  lest 
that  after  all  he  should  deny  you  before  his  Father  and 
the  holy  angels,  when  he  shall  cornt*  to  be  glorified  in 
his  saints.  Lay  not  up  treasure  on  earth.  Glorify  God 
with  your  substance,  and  neither  you  nor  yours  shall 
ever  want  for  any  good  thing.  Finally,  my  dear  brother, 
I  beseech  you  to  seek  by  faith  to  love  God  and  your 
neighbor  more.  I  am  ignorant,  else  I  should  write  bet- 
ter, but  may  God  bless  what  has  been  said  to  our  souls. 

*  The  passage  here  alluded  to  (Luke  xiii,  24),  is  often  misunder- 
stood, simply  by  separating  the  24th  verse  from  the  SOth.  By  reading 
them  continuously  the  meaniiig  is  obvious,  thus:  "Strive  to  enter  in 
at  the  strait  gate  ;  for  many,  I  say  unto  you,  will  seek  to  enter  in 
and  shall  not  be  able,  when  once  the  Master  of  the  house  is  risen 
up,  and  hath  shut  to  the  door,  and  ye  begin  to  stand  without,  and  to 
knock  at  the  door,  saying,  Lord,  Lord,  open  to  uaj  and  he  shall 
answer  and  say  unto  you,  I  know  you  not  whence  you  are."  In  this 
way  seeking,  to  enter  in  and  not  being  able  is  what  cannot  take 
place  in  the  present  life,  but  is  plainly  confined  to  the  state  of  men 
after  death,  when  the  invitations  of  mercy  are  forever  withdrawn,  or 
when  the  Master  of  the  house  is  risen  up,  and  hath  shut  to  the  door 
(compare  Malt,  xxv,  11). 


6  THE    CONVERTED    SOLBIER    BECOME 

Give  my  warmest  respects  to  the  Oliristian  Society. 
I  entreat  iliem  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Clirist  to 
seek  wisdom  at  the  Lord's  mouth,  yea,  that  they  seek 
everything  needful  from  and  through  Christ  the  *'  Head 
of  the  Church." 

Yours,  affectionately,  W.  Magrath. 

Patna,  May  16,  1832. 
My  Dearly  Beloved  Brother  : 

I  have  received  your  most  kind  and  very  welcome 
letter,  but  it  found  me  in  a  slate  of  soul  truly  dejected; 
but  in  vain  do  I  seek  comfort  in  creatures.  God  in 
Christ  is  the  only  source  of  happiness  to  a  soul  that 
knows  its  fallen  state,  and  I  think  that  in  some  small 
measure  I  know  and  feel  that  I  am  a  fallen  creature, 
under  the  curse  of  that  law  which  I  have  broken,  that 
is  if  I  stand  in  myself.  At  times  I  have  a  hope  that  I 
have  taken  refuge  in  the  blood  of  Christ;  but  again,  I 
liave  so  many  doubts  of  my  acceptance  with  a  pure 
and  just  God,  that  my  soul  is  almost  overwhelmed,  and 
everything  has  lost  its  comfort  to  me.  1  can  trace  the 
cause  to  my  unfaithfulness,  unwatchfulness,  and  extreme 
remissness  in  prayer.  I  desire  your  effectual  petitions 
on  my  behalf.  I  mention  these  things  so  that  you  all 
may  be  excited  to  pray  for  me. 

With  my  heart  full  of  love  to  the  brethren,  with 
prayer  for  my  dear  brother's  temporal  and  eternal  wel- 
fare, I  remain  yours  ever,  W.   Magrath. 

Rajhmahl,  October  18,  1832. 
My  Very  Dear  Brother: 

Your  kind  letter  found  me  at  this  place,  which  I  now 
sit  down  to  answer,  it  being  scarcely  one  hour  since  I 
landed  here.     The  song  that  glows  from  your  tongue, 


A    ZEALOUS    MISSIONARY. 


my  dear  friend,  is  that  which  shall  fill  all  eternity. 
The  love  of  God,  oh,  the  love  of  God,  it  passeth  all 
understanding.  Love  to  venomous  reptiles  of  the  earth. 
Love  in  giving  us  our  being,  and  its  heights  and  depths 
are  in  himself.  Glory,  and  power,  and  blessing,  O 
Lord  God  Almighty,  be  unto  thee,  and  unto  the  Lamb 
for  ever  and  ever.  How  can  I  leave  off  speaking  of 
such  love;  but  I  must,  and  reserve  much  of  it  for  that 
day  when  I  shall  see  thee  as  ihou  art,  O  Jesus,  Emman- 
uel, God  with  us,  with  us  for  ever.  Blessed  be  Jesus, 
above  all  and  in  all. 

Some  way  from  this  I  entered  the  hills  yesterday,  and 
declared  to  those  people  the  love  of  God  as  well  as  I 
could.  Pray,  my  dear  brother,  that  God  may  bless  the 
preaching  of  his  word  to  tliese  poor  creatures.  Remem- 
ber me  to  all  the  society.  Now  I  must  say  farewell, 
remaining  thine  in  love,  and  in  the  hope  of  glory, 

W.   Magrath. 

This  was  the  last  letter  that  I  received  from  this 
valuable  friend  and  Christian. 

The  following  letter,  bearing  tidings  of  his  death,  was 

written  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Leslie,  missionary  at  Monghyr, 

East  Indies : 

Monghyr,  ^pril  14,  1833. 
My  Dear  Sir: 

I  have  just   this  moment  received  your  letter  of  the 

8th  instant.     It  is  true  that  poor  Magrath  is  gone.      He 

left  this  in  opposition  to  the  persuasion  of  friends  about 

the    beginning   of   last   October.     The   season    was    not 

suited  to  his  visiting  the  hills.     I   urged  and  entreated 

him   to  take   up   his   residence   at   Bhaugulpore,   where 

there  was    a    small    congregation    of   English  ready  to 

listen   to  him,  thousands  of  Hindoos  and   Mussulmans, 

and  at  least  a  thousand   of  hill  people,  to  all  of  whom 


8  THE    CONVERTED    SOLDIER. 

he  would,  in  all  probability,  have  been  very  ust'ful. 
But  no,  he  was  determined  to  go  at  once  to  the  hills; 
and  he  went.  Shortly  after  his  arrival  at  the  base  of 
the  hills  he  was  seized  with  fever;  he  then  began  to 
retreat,  as  is  supposed,  to  Monghyr,  but  unable  to  get 
along,  he  stopped  at  a  village  about  two  miles  on  this 
side  of  Sukree  Gully,  where  he  breathed  his  last.  Some 
European  gentlemen,  passing  down  the  river  just  after 
he  died,  stopped  and  kindly  took  him  up  and  buried 
him.  When  I  heard  of  his  death  I  went  out  in  search 
of  his  grave,  and  also  to  inquire  among  the  natives  the 
particulars  of  tlie  melancholy  event;  but  all  1  could  get 
from  them  was  that  he  was  seven  days  ill  in  the  village, 
and  the  last  iwo  senseless.  Thus  ended  the  life  of  this 
extraordinary  man  and  eminent  Christian.  1  have  no 
doubt  that  he  is  now  in  glory. 

Yours,  sincerely, 

A.  Leslie. 


PtBLlSHfiD    BY    THE    SOUtH    CAROLINA    TRACT    SOCIETY. 

triated  by  Kvaus  &  Cogswoll,  No.  3  Broad  street,  Chttrlestou,  S.  G. 


HoUinger  Corp. 
pH8.5 


